Here Come the Munsters (1995 TV Movie) User Reviews

That First Family of Fright is back!

[michael_mckenna · 12 December 2004]

I have always been a mad fan of the Munsters. I loved the show when it was on prime time (CBS) from the first time I watched the show in 1964, right till the end when it was canceled in 1966.

I even sent a postcard to CBS in protest of the proposed cancellation. (At least I think I did. If I didn't, well, I wish I did. It's the thought that counts, right?)

When the Munsters hit the silver screen in 1966 with "Munster Go Home", I made it a point not to miss it when it came to a theater near me! I loved the movie!

In 1988, I saw "The Munsters Today". I hated it! The characters may had looked like the original Munsters. But the series was so dry, so bland and so un-funny that it was sheer torture to sit through it. I decided that there was only one "Herman" and only the one and only Fred Gwynne could tackle the role.

In 1995, with the memory of "The Munsters Today" still fresh on my mind, I was apprehensive about watching this TV-movie.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was really funny! The cast was good.

The scene with Herman's first (and last) day as a butler, was classic comedy at its best and alone, well worth the trouble in finding this movie! The surviving members of the original series, making a cameo appearance as "sympathetic customers who thought that Herman, as a waiter, was good", was the icing on the cake.

The cast of "Here Come the Munsters", not only succeeded in continuing where the original (1964-66) cast left off, but obviously won the seal of approval from the surviving cast members, whose cameo appearance was the icing on the cake.

Could you imagine Al Lewis & company making such an appearance on "The Munsters Today"? I can't. I rest my case!

What a disappointment

[cartman_1337 · 3/10 · 10 July 2000]

I've been looking for another Addams Family film for a long time, not finding any. This is the closes I've gotten so far. I've never seen the Munsters TV-series, so I didn't know exactly what to expect.

The film started perfectly, with a black and white tribute to old horror films. That sequence was absolutely brilliant in every aspect.

However, the rest of the film didn't come close to the excellence of the beginning, in fact it was terribly dull, boring and a complete and utter waste of time.

Thanks to the excellent beginning the film still saves a 3 out of 10, but nothing more...

Not for me, although a good attempt

[frankmcgowan-official · 1/10 · 12 February 2015]

This film was poorly executed, from the obviously TV movie Production Design to the casting choices, although Hermann did his best to revive the original Herman as portrayed by Fred Gwynne.

For me, however, the story just didn't make much sense, and the cameos by the original cast members from the 1964 was painful and embarrassing to watch, proving why they weren't chosen to reprise their roles in the earlier incarnation sitcom "The Munsters Today" in 1988.

The only redeemable features for this outing are the appearance of The Munster Koach (although again, it was introduced in a different way), the true to origin makeup and costume, and supporting cast who at points do make it watchable.

Delightful Homage to a Great TV Series

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 19 March 2008]

In Transylvania, a raged crowd expels the Munster family from their castle. While escaping from the villagers, Herman (Edward Herrmann) finds a piece of a letter from his sister Elsa Munster Hyde (Judy Gold) and his brother-in-law Norman Hyde (Max Grodénchik) from North America and the family decides to travel to California. When they meet their niece Marilyn (Christine Taylor), they are informed that Norman is missing and his wife is in coma due to her loss. On the next days, the Munster family faces problem with the adaptation in the new country: Lily (Veronica Hamel) meets her snoopy neighbors; Grandpa (Robert Morse) researches in the laboratory a cure for Elsa and finds a videotape that shows what has happened with Norman; and Eddie (Matthew Botuchis) goes to the school and has problem with the local bully. When the candidate to the Senate Brent Jeckyll (Jeff Trachta) arrives in the location in campaign, Grandpa discloses the truth about the past of the bigoted candidate.

"Here Come the Munsters" is a delightful homage to a great TV series. The gags are hilarious, a journey to my childhood, and the cameo appearance of Yvonne de Carlo, Al Lewis, Butch Patrick and Pat Priest is a plus in this funny, but unfortunately underrated, movie. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Os Monstros Estão de Volta" ("The Monsters Are Back")

Wish It Had Gone to Series

[satterwh · 7/10 · 22 August 2008]

OK, it wasn't the original series. *NOTHING* will be the original series. That said, it was a worthy followup.

Let's get the honesty part out of the way. I am a major fan of The Munsters. I thought the update "The Munsters Today" was horrible - because it violated the basic premise of the show. In "The Munsters Today", a good part of it had to do with the Munsters wanting to be "normal" - Eddie even changing his clothes and hairstyle. The main premise of The Munsters is that the family believed that they *WERE* "normal". That was it's charm.

In this version, the Munsters were what we knew and loved. They saw themselves as the average family. It gave us a bit of background to their being here. I *LOVED* Eddie actually changing into a werewolf - and Lilly biting someone on the neck.

I wish this had gone to series - it would have almost made up for "The Munsters Today". I wouldn't have had the chemistry of the original cast - but it did have a good one of it's own.

The Munsters aren't dead ... they're just waiting to rise again - and I can hardly wait.

Rather good

[daniel_j_foster · 8/10 · 3 July 2006]

I feel this film was very well attempted. I thought the plot was quite interesting and the characters were well portrayed. I especially liked Edward Hermann as Herman Munster. Although this film did change some of the original features in the TV sitcom, such as Marilyn being related on Herman's site instead of Lily's, i think overall, a very good attempt. I wasn't that disappointed with the different house, because this one still looked very creepy and Munster-like. I think it's film worth watching to Munster fans. I especially liked the idea of seeing Herman and Lily's wolf-boy son actually turn into a werewolf on a full moon, as this element was never portrayed in the original sitcom.

A well worth watching film!, a good cast of actors!

A thoroughly enjoyable movie

[MovieFan983 · 7/10 · 26 January 1999]

Funny, entertaining, clever, and well acted. 7 out of 10. Unrated contains violence and mild language.

SURPRISE!!!

[JeffreyACooke · 10/10 · 31 July 2018]

Ok, so I'm 23 years behind. I am a major Munsters fan... only of the original show... until now! Actually, I didn't even know that this movie existed until fairly recently.

I was 6 when The Munsters first aired on TV. We watched it whenever the outdoor antenna pulled it in.

When I found out about "The Munsters Today" with new actors playing the roles I didn't have any interest in it. The Munsters were Gwynne, Lewis, De Carlo, Priest and Patrick. Period.

The more that I've read about some of the original actors in these day of infinite information via the WWW, the more I realized that I"m really more a fan of the characters than the actors (though I will always prefer the originals).

I decided to see how bad the replacements were. I was quite surprised. If the original Munsters didn't exist, this would hold it's own very well.

The new actors do try to imitate the original actors for the most part so the originals were foundational to the cast for this movie.

It was actually very entertaining and funny, especially with the inside jokes which original Munsters fans will get. The guest appearance by Yvonne, Al, Pat and Butch was awesome and seems like a stamp of approval and a passing of the baton.

I very much enjoyed the movie and am glad to own it. Nothing will replace the original classic show but "Here Come The Munsters" kept the legacy alive.

Now I have to check out "The Munsters Today." I'm catching up.

Very much in the same line as the original series.

[tenn-noodlehead · 22 June 2000]

This is the best effort yet to update the old series. The acting was good, the casting was good, and it managed to capture some of the feel of the original series. The cameo by the surviving members of the original cast in the restaurant being served by Herman was a nice tip of the hat too. Christine Taylor seems to be doing well playing updated characters, first Marcia Brady, then Marilyn Munster, then Marcia again. Oh well, she looks good here.

A movie with a little bit of luck

[rob-177 · 8/10 · 30 January 1999]

When I say a little bit of luck I mean that this movie would have been nothing if it wasn't for the acting. I found the storyline to be a good one but the old munsters click wasn't there.

I don't know if it was the way it was set up or the way the story drifted off but something was wrong.

Edward Herrmann was excellent in the role of Herman Munster as was the rest of the cast.

If you found the series to be excellent well this is one for you.

If you have seen this movie and loved it well then try the addams family series or the newly made movies Addams family, Addams family values, Addams family reunion.

A great movie for those who like Creepy munster stuff.

A Touch of Greatness in the TV Movie Department

[cry_wolf23 · 9/10 · 7 December 2007]

This is one of the best TV movies i have Seen and me being a Movie Buff Never Even Knew it existed until i caught it on TV the other day. The Plot Does Seem to Linger a Little From the Series in Places but the Acting is Great and i Highly Recommend Whoever Reads this to get a Copy and Watch it.The Actors are Awesome Don't Remember it Saying Anything about Herman Having a Sister in the Series and Anothor thing that makes this TV Movie so good is the fact that most of the Original actors Made Cameos except for The Original Herman Because Fred Had Pasted Away Years Before.But seeing cameos of the others is kinda cool and almost makes up for the fact that they waited to long to make a sequel to the great series

Make it stop. Please, somebody, make it stop!

[Defcom1 · 17 August 2004]

In all my life I have never been so appalled at a film. In my mind this is without any shadow of doubt the very worst ever made. Number 1. Numero Uno.

The acting in it was truly dire, the plot line was ridiculous, the characters were diabolical, the sets were sparse, the 'effects' were what one might expect at a school play, the cameos of the remaining original cast were embarrassing. I have to this date never seen such a senseless waste of film stock and effort. I have probably seen the entire film now thanks to the blessings of repeats on cable but the most I could withstand was 20 minutes straight before either slipping into a coma or beating my head against the wall. If you have the misfortune to see this film in the listings, avoid it at ALL costs. I'm sorry to the makers and actors in this film, truly I am, for leaving such a negative review, but in my humble opinion it should have never been made.

When Elvis shot the television, he was watching this film.

Best Munsters remake

[QueenoftheGoons · 9/10 · 29 June 2020]

The old cast appearing in the restaurant tugs at your heart strings. Hermann is a good Herman Munster, close to the original. I just thought it was a good movie. Eddie and Marilyn are irritating but when ain't they? Too bad they weren't in the Christmas one.

A worthy successor to the original series

[Elvis-Del-Valle · 9/10 · 26 March 2023]

A fun comedy and worthy reboot of The Munsters with a humor that respects the essence of the original series. Many of the actors in this film manage to recreate the characters' personalities very well. Especially the Herman Munster in this version has the grace and charisma of the original. He has very good jokes and very good comedy that is reminiscent of the original series. Also, he did well to focus on the arrival of The Munsters in Los Angeles, since that is something that was never seen in the series. This origin story was very useful and the film manages to be a worthy successor to the series. This is one of the best reboots ever made which is why I rate it 9/10.

Undead from Transylvania!

[DBlackthorne · 9/10 · 23 November 2023]

When the family decide to leave Transylvania due to the fearful petty squabbles of local villagers, all of whom could be easily dispatched by the way, they give America a chance. Picked up from the airport in an always hellegant hearse, arriving at 1313 Mockingbird Lane - the dominant mass, lighthouse effect, Command to Look, Munster Mansion.

Immediately, there's a nosey Kravitz character who begins her spying, hysterical, ignorant shenanigans, while the family settle in. Eddie experiences some short term masochistic suicidal baiting by an obnoxious generic classmate, as in stupidly taunting the {were} wolf until devoured! Who eventually learns a valuable lesson.

No less than Amanda Bearce {"chicken legs" Marcy D'Arcy from Married With Children} makes an appearance as a sexy raven-haired, red glossy-lipped teacher. A definite improvement from her usual portrayals since Fright Night. The Morticia Effect in action. Also of note, Dee Wallace {The Howling} features as Mrs. Walker.

The Munsters snap into action to save relatives Mr. & Mrs. Hyde {Marilyn's parents!} due to an æsthetics experiment yet to be perfected to improve her plain appearance. It's actually a logical conclusion to the looks question! Thinking he vanished, instead transformed into a greedy deceptive politician, while she {"Elsa", after Bride of Frankenstein actress Elsa Lanchester}, lapses into a coma.

The characters work well for their roles. The makeup matches well. Strong though playful Herman, gorgeous Lily {pendant & impressively alluring dress with bejeweled shawl}, the beastly beastie Eddie, generic and genial Marilyn, who adapts to using Lesser Magic here and there when needed, resourcefully ingenious Grandpa utilizing technomancy, vampiric persuasion, and alchemical knowledge when needed for the betterment of the Family. While Spot appears very complementary demonic! All deceptively deadly if needed.

Similar to Munsters' Revenge, they spring from the hoosgow due to a misunderstanding, with a doppelganger in tow, overall asserting success. Then all is well in Hell again.